(a) Applicability. The provisions of this section shall apply to the removal, storage, notice, reclaimer, or disposal of abandoned vehicles as defined in § 10-5-1.
(b) Removal.
(1) Any law enforcement officer who discovers any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or mobile home on any public street or highway, or private or public property, in the village which has been abandoned shall cause the vehicle to be removed to a suitable place of impoundment.
(2) Upon removal of the vehicle, the law enforcement officer shall notify the village of the abandonment and of the location of the impounded vehicle.
(c) Storage and reclaimer. Any abandoned vehicle which is determined by the Village Board, or its designee, or a law enforcement officer to be abandoned shall be retained in storage for a period of 14 days after certified mail notice, as hereinafter provided, has been sent to the state titled owner and/or secured party of record with the State Motor Vehicle Division, except that if the Village Board, or its designee, or a law enforcement officer, determines an abandoned vehicle to have a value of less than $100, or that the cost of towing and storage charges for impoundment will exceed the value of the vehicle, it may be junked or sold by direct sale to a licensed salvage dealer after having been retained in storage for a period of seven days and after certified mail notice, as hereinafter provided, has been sent to the state titled owner or secured party of record with the State Motor Vehicle Division, provided that it is first determined that the vehicle is not reported stolen or wanted for evidence or other reason. All substantially complete vehicles in excess of 19 model years of age shall be deemed as a having value in excess of $100. Any such vehicle which may be lawfully reclaimed may be released upon the payment of all accrued charges, including towing, storage, and notice charges, and upon presentation of the vehicle title or other satisfactory evidence to the Village Board, or its designee, or a law enforcement officer, to prove an ownership or secured party interest in said vehicle.
(d) Notice to owner or secured party. Certified mail notice, as referred to herein, shall notify the state titled owner of the abandoned vehicle, if any, and/or the secured party of record with the State Motor Vehicle Division, if any, of the following.
(1) The vehicle has been deemed abandoned and impounded by the village.
(2) The “determined value” of the abandoned vehicle.
(3) If the cost of towing and storage costs will exceed the determined value of the vehicle.
(4) If the vehicle is not wanted for evidence or other reason, the vehicle may be reclaimed upon the payment of all accrued charges, including towing, storage, and notice charges, within 14 days of the date of notice, unless the vehicle has been determined to have a value less than $100 or that the cost of towing and storage charges for impoundment will exceed the value of the vehicle, in which case the vehicle may be reclaimed within seven days upon the payment of the aforesaid charges.
(5) The owner or aforesaid secured party may, upon request, be granted a hearing relating to the determinations made with respect to said vehicle within the period that such vehicles may be reclaimed.
(Prior Code, § 10-5-3)